Ontario Riders: Trillium Tips?

[Star98]

Hi Everyone!

As you can see from the topic, I’m asking about Trillium related stuff. It will be my first time doing Trillium next year- not going to lie I’m pretty nervous about it. I turn 19 in three weeks so I will be going into the Amateur stuff (I know I know you’d think it’s stupid that a 19 year old is just doing Trillium Now?) For some background, the previous barn I rode at for 6/7 years the coach I was taught by pretty much wasn’t interested into taking any of us to Trillium and just planted the seed that it was too expensive, how you have to be this amazing talented rider, etc. The barn shut down last year and since then I’ve found some place so much better for me, I’ve learned way more as a rider and advanced more than I ever did at my original place. It’s definitely some place I will be staying for a long time. At my new place everyone rides bitless so I will have to do Jumpers which I’m pretty excited for, I’ll be starting off in the .75m just to ease into it and maybe transition over to the .90m if I am comfortable. I’m in the market for a new show jacket but I don’t have a huge budget since I am a full-time college student and pay for all my riding, entry fees, etc. I’m torn between the Kerrits Competitor coat & the Horseware Ireland Women’s Show Jacket so if you guys could help point me to which one is the better show jacket that would be a great help If any of you have any tips and tricks or just stories about your experience on the circuit it would be super helpful! It would also help ease my nerves about it lol! Also I will be in the Central East zone if that changes anything what the shows will be like. I’ve heard Central East is a pretty competitive zone but correct me if I am wrong Thank you for reading!

[Quinn]

I have only bought Kerrits tights and Horseware blankets but BOTH are good quality for their respective products. They look fairly similar but if I had to choose, I’d go with the Horseware jacket. All the VERY BEST to you next year. Trillium is a very fun circuit.

[Backstage]

As a general comment, try not to let a level of competition get in your head. There are some great horses & riders competing on the Trillium circuit, and there are also lots of mere mortals, myself among them. I made lots and lots of mistakes this year, and still had a great time and got some ribbons along the way. Generally, at least in my zone, most people are friendly and supportive of each other.

I am not in your zone, but the Trillium circuit (silver level) does not offer 0.75m jumpers as a division eligible for the Championships. The lower jumper height is 0.9m. In my zone, however, bronze level shows are offered alongside the silver level shows so you can compete at 0.75 and 0.85m in the jumpers at the same “show” even if it is technically a bronze show. I just mention it because you will want to ensure that you have the correct memberships, and may not want to pay the extra fees for silver level competition membership until you are actually competing at a silver/Trillium show.

Since you will be starting in the smaller jumper classes, I would encourage you NOT to equate success with ribbons. At 0.75m and even 0.9m, some speedy and careful ponies/horses can race around and win without necessarily putting in what most would consider a good round from a riding perspective. In my view, you should be more focused on a good pace, good distances, and good turns/lines. Think of your experiences at this level as building blocks for competing over bigger jumps.

Finally, either coat would be fine. Just make sure you buy something that fits you well. Some of the more technical coats can be less than flattering if they do not fit well. You would be better off sizing up, and having it tailored a bit if you are in between sizes.

[Star98]

Thank you for the advice! I’m really excited to just gain the experience and I always have a habit of just wanting a good ride and if I get a ribbon I just think of it as a bonus- hopefully from what you said Backstage this will be a good thing to have next year. Also to confirm Yes, I do know the .75m are a bronze level, but my coach and I did some research over the summer most of the central east zone shows have it under their class list but are stared because they’re bronze level. That way I can do the .75m while gaining the experience of being in a trillium atmosphere/show technically before plunging into the .90m

[SolarFlare]

I’m sure you’ll have a fun time stepping up to the Trillium circuit!

My advice (along with the previous posters’) is to read the rule book. I know it may sound boring, but it is important that you understand what is and is not allowed (in warmup, in the show ring, for tack, class rules, etc). You most definitely don’t want to be disqualified for something that you could have known about ahead of time! Since it sounds like you were showing at a local level before (and maybe hunters rather than jumpers?), just note that schooling shows do not always follow EC rules, so there may be some differences from what you’ve experienced so far.

I agree as well about the jacket - buy whichever fits you best. Don’t worry about the brand names (for any tack/apparel), just make sure you’re clean, neat, and your horse is turned out well.

Good luck!

[Star98]

Thank you! Yes, before I’ve done an endless amount of schooling shows all over the area before and I did a couple of .60m bronze over this summer for practice as my mount is slightly green with some new stuff for a 7 yr old. I’ve read some of the rule book but thanks for the tip! I’m sure it will be a big help as you said with warm-up, rules, etc. With being at a bitless barn and rider my coach is always very aware of the tack rules so at least I will be covered for that haha!

[Come_Shine]

Excellent point about the rule book. Another thing to think about is attending a jumper judge’s clinic when they have one. You don’t need to be a judge (or even want to be a judge). They are open to everyone and very informative. Plus the speakers usually have some funny stories about stuff they’ve seen.

Good luck next year!

[GoodTimes]

Central East offers a lot of shows and is definitely one of the bigger zones. Even if you move up to 0.90m early in the season don’t get hung up on qualifying for the Championships or getting year end awards.
Saying that, they have well run shows, a longer season which can give you more options, and good footing/facilities for the most part.
It sounds like you’re just going to have fun and get some experience, which is great! Since you asked about jackets I’ll just mention that if you want to “fit in” then stick with conservative colours for yourself and the horse. ie black/navy jacket, black gloves, tidy hair, black tall boots or nice black half chaps, white square saddle pad, black or brown boots for the horse. Your bitless bridle will be a little unconventional, but if that’s what the horse goes best in then don’t worry about it.

I do kind of question a barn where all the horses have to go bit-less. But that’s a topic for another thread.

[Princess_Sparkles]

I wore a Kerrits jacket when I rode on the Trillium circuit. . . wore it at Champs and everything, they are fantastically comfortable and I got lots of compliments on it. . . great buy for the price, looks just like jackets people spend big $$ on. Be sure to get the nice machine washable, no iron ones. . . never go to the dry cleaner again! I agree with above in staying very neutral–sometimes in the jumpers people like to go with flashy colours because they can, but I urge you to choose a black or navy blue jacket, lighter colour shirts (at least one white one) and stick with neutral saddle pads–black, navy blue, white. You want to be noticed for your good riding/rounds, not for wearing bright colours. It seems ultimate snob, I know, but fitting in is a good thing at horse shows, especially the higher levels.

Trillium circuit is a lot of fun, don’t let people intimidate you. I rode Central East for a couple years before switching to North East zone (big move, I know). North East is the best zone in my opinion, everyone is so much fun and so welcoming. Central East is bigger, so you don’t get that same feeling of camaraderie, but there are nice facilities to ride at and plenty of good people. There is a lot more money on the Central East circuit than some of the other zones, though, so be prepared for that–some really, really nice horses and people willing to spend whatever it takes to look and be perfect.

Also be aware that Central East holds a few regular season shows at the Caledon Equestrian Park (Palgrave) and the jumpers often go in the Grand Prix ring, even the .75s. That is a BIG ring and it can be really intimidating to ride in for the first time. If the show offers a clear round class for that ring, do it to get the big ring jitters out ahead of time.

The .75 division on Central East is a big division, and so is the .90s. There will be a lot of entries at every show, so be prepared to have good rides and not pin. Of course success is not measured by ribbons, but they are a fun side benefit!

@GoodTimes I am fairly certain from the details the OP gave that I know the barn she is riding at. I share your concerns and have seen some of the students in action at bronze shows but I agree, that is a topic for a different thread.

[Star98]

Thank you for everyone’s advice It settles most of the nerves I had about next year. For those who have concerns about the whole bitless thing, not all of the horses go bitless. If someone decides to join us for example we won’t make you change bitless. and there are only a couple of us at the barn who jump and do hunter/jumper shows. Most of the horses are from previously stressful lives or absued homes. My mount came last year from a women who gave him tons of training hunter/dressage wise but abused him with the bit which resulted in him being a “problem horse” to the lady since he would buck and dump her. When we tried bitless with him It was suprising to see over time and bringing him back to work he was so much better. Even though with being bitless he still gets his worried moments when I ride him that I’m going to be hard on his mouth and will turn his head in, but once he realizes I’m not going to do anything he just resumes a balanced head. I know it’s a huge controversal topic, and from someone who rode in a bit for years before, I can honestly say if anything it’s been super beneficial for the horses. I know some may not agree with that, but I’ve been taught to be respectful of every rider, bit or no bit

For Show Jacket wise and everything else others suggested I planned on staying pretty conservative so it is comforting to know it’s the best way to go.

@princesssparkles Thank you for letting me know about the grand prix ring! A couple of us went to go watch champs a while ago and we wondered during the regular season show if the .75s would be in there or not so thank you for confirming